Rosie Godfrey-Lockwood is one Essex girl for whom the only way is natural, scooping the region’s top beauty queen crown after appearing before judges without wearing any make-up.

Rosie Godfrey-Lockwood: Natural beauty

Now, the 19-year-old – who has never even used foundation – is helping to smash the stereotype about women in her county being all fake tans and layers of lipstick.

She said: ‘I believe in natural beauty. I think it’s a vicious circle and once you start wearing make-up from a young age, you can’t live without it.’

Miss Godfrey-Lockwood won the Miss Prom Show Essex title last week, meaning she will compete in the semi-finals of the Miss England contest in June.

She said: ‘I turned up without any make-up or my hair done – it was just how I got out of bed but the sponsors insisted I had my hair done. All the girls looked fantastic and I never thought I’d stand a chance.’

Her victory follows the success of ITV reality show The Only Way Is Essex, which has spawned ‘stars’ such as Mark Wright, Kirk Norcross, Amy Childs, Lauren Goodger and Sam Faiers.

Miss Godfrey-Lockwood said: ‘Everyone has seen The Only Way Is Essex, so people assume we all have wardrobes full of make-up but it’s not like that.

‘I’ve only ever attempted fake eyelashes once in my life and somehow managed to stick my eyelids together.’

She said she was excited about the Miss England event, adding: ‘I’m letting people do my hair but have to keep explaining I don’t wear make-up.’

The Chelmsford teenager is studying law at the University of Surrey and speaks five languages.